Foam producing compositions



ample, as shaving or shampoo lathers.

I is spread over the desired area with ease.

The present invention relates to the production of self propelling homogeneous liquid compositions which, when dispensed in a suitable aerosol container, produce foams of limited stability. This application is a continuationin-part of my copending application Serial No. 35,408, filed June 13, 1960.

Numerous self-propelling liquid compositions are available commercially. These compositions, when dispensed, produce either stable foams or atomized sprays.

The compositions producing stable foams are useful, for ex- T he compositions producing atomized sprays find utility as after-shave lotions, cold-wave lotions, nail polish removers, etc. though extensively used, the latter compositions, because of the relatively uncontrolled dispension of atomized sprays may cause physical or property damage. Moreover, these compositions are marketed in the form of emulsions which require shaking before dispensing.

It is the object of the present invention to provide selfpropelling homogeneous liquid compositions which, when dispensed in a suitable aerosol container, produce foams I of limited stability.

In accordance with the above object, I have developed self-propelling homogeneous liquid compositions which, when dispensed in an aerosol container provided with a foam-dispensing head, form foams of limited stability. These compositions comprise (l) a member of the group consistingof acetone, acetonyl acetone, diacetone alcohol and water-miscible monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, (2) water, (3) a surface active agent, and (4) a propellant, in the following highly critical proportions.

' Ingredient: Weight Percent Ketone or glycol ether a- 46 to 66 Water 28 to 42 Surface active agent 0.5 to 5 Propellant 2 to By a foam of limited stability, I mean a foam which does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes, preferably at least about an hour, but when disturbed, as by application of heat or by rubbing, reverts quickly, i.e. with in about two seconds, to a liquid.

As indicated above, commercially available compositions producing atomized sprays may be injurious as a result of the uncontrolled dispension of the sprays. Thus, upon application of a cold-wave composition to the head, the spray may get in the eyes of the user. Further, when a composition for removing nail polish is employed, the spray may settle on near-by furniture and remove the finish. Numerous other known compositions, when dispensed as atomized sprays, may cause similar detrimental effects.

The self-propelling liquid compositions of this invention enable the user to quickly and completely dispense a desired amount to a restricted area in a way impossible with conventional aerosol sprays. For example, when used as a cold-wave lotion, the dispensed foam can be applied directly to the head. Upon application of a comb or brush, the foam quickly reverts to a liquid and When used as a nail polish remover, a small amount of the dispensed foam is placed on each fingernail. When the foam is United States Patent ent invention is that they are clear, homogeneous liquids.

those in which the alkyl rubbed with a cleansing tissue it becomes a liquid and removes the polish. Similar success may be attained by application as foams of such diversified products as preelectric shave lotions, after-shave lotions, astringents, colognes, hair-coloring tints, hairdressings, skin refresheners, sun tan lotions, toilet water preparations, shoe polishes, furniture polishes, acne preparations, dandruff preparations, pharmaceutical products, paint removers, etc.

A further advantage of the compositions of the pres- As a result, unlike commercially available products, the compositions require no shaking before dispensing and, moreover, maybe attractively packaged in transparent containers.

Still further, the compositions, when dispensed in the form of foams of limited stability, possess the advantage over commercially available products of avoiding premature evaporation of volatile components.

The ketones and glycol ethers used in the compositions of the present invention must be miscible with water. The ketones comprise acetone, acetonyl acetone and diacetone alcohol. The glycol ethers comprise watermiscible monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Preferred water-miscible glycol ethers are group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Specific examples of these ethers include ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. It should be understood that, if desired, mixtures of the ketones and/ or glycol ethers may be employed in the compositions of this invention.

Use of decreasing amounts of ketone or glycol ether and increasing amounts of water within the aforementioned ranges favors the formation of more stable foams. If, however, amounts of ketone or glycol ether and water outside the indicated critical ranges are employed, emulsified instead of homogeneous compositions are obtained.

The surface active agent, which must be soluble in either the ketone or glycol ether or in the water but not in both, may be anionic, non-ionic or cationic in character. Non-ionic surface active agents formed by reaction of fatty alcohols and ethylene oxide (polyoxyethylated fatty alcohols), such as polyoxyethylene stearates, are

glyceryl monostearate, diglycol laurate and diglycol oleate. Suitable anionic surface active agents'include sulfated fatty alcohols, such as sulfated cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, and sulfated fatty acids, such as sulfated stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and coconut oil fatty acids. Quaternary ammonium salts are typical of suitable cationic surfactants.

Any volatile organic material that exists as a gas at room temperature, exists mainly as a liquid at room temperature and elevated pressure and is soluble in either the ketone or glycol ether or in the water but not in both may be used as propellant. Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated (e.g. fluorinated) saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having vapor pressures within the range of about 5 to 300 p.s.i.g., preferably about 10 to p.s.i.g., at 70 F. are typical of the propellants which may be used in this invention. The chlorofluorinated sat urated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as dichlorodifluoro methane, monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, trichlorotrifiuoroethane, difluoroethane, difiufound to be particularly suitable propellants.

The amount of propellant employed varies Within the range given above with the density of the propellant. Thus, the propellant should be added in such amount as to constitute about 2.3 to 29.5%, and preferably about 3.3 to 16.5%, by volume of the liquid composition. This requirement is met, for example, by use of chlorofiuorinated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons in amount ranging from 3 to 15 by weight of the composition. In the case of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons of lower density, such as propane, isobutane, n-butane, isopentane and n-pentane, an amount ranging from 2 to by Weight of the composition should be used.

Depending on the nature of the product desired, the compositions may contain various additives which are soluble therein, including perfumes, medicinal substances, lubricants, resins, Waxes, aldehydes, petroleum hydrocarbons, ethers, menthol, camphor, etc.

In order to obtain the desired foam of limited stability, it is necessary that the composition be dispensed in an aerosol container provided with a foam-dispensing head. A typical foam-dispensing head comprises a spout fixture adapted to be permanently mounted and rigidly supported upon the aerosol container in cooperative relation with the stem of a dispensing valve which controls the flow of material from such container. The spout fixture includes a spout through which the material may be delivered and also a valve-operating plunger mounted on a diaphragm and normally maintained in a position to insure closing of the dispensing valve. Associated with the spout fixture is an activator mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position to an advanced position or vice versa. It is so constituted that when slid into advanced position, it may be engaged by the plunger of the spout fixture to actuate the valve stem and dispense the pressurized material through the spout in the form of foam. If desired, a dip tube may be provided for delivering the composition from the inside of the container to the dispensing valve. This type of foam-dispensing head is described in greater detail in US. Patent 2,678,147 of May 11, 1954. Other types of foam-dispensing heads are available and may also be used in practice of this invention.

When the compositions of this invention are confined in an aerosol container, such as that described above, an internal pressure in the range of about 10 to 85 p.s.i.g. at 70 F. is generally created. In the case of glass and other frangible containers, such pressure should be kept in the range of about 10 to 30 p.s.i.g. at 70 F.

If a metallic aerosol container is used, I prefer to add a small proportion of a suitable corrosion inhibitor to the composition, for example, about 0.01 to 5% by weight of the composition. Typical inhibitors include oleic acid, N-fatty beta-aminopropionate, N-fatty beta-iminodipro pionate, hexynol, morpholine, formaldehyde, etc.

In operation, the composition is introduced into the aerosol container and confined therein at the vapor pressure of the propellant. When the valve of the container is opened, the pressure on the composition is released as it emerges from the container, producing a foam of limited stability.

The following examples illustrate the preparation of typical clear, homogeneous liquid compositions coming within the scope of the present invention. These compositions, when dispensed in an aerosol container provided with a foam-dispensing head, produce foams of limited stability. In the examples, all percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLE 1 Acetone-Based Concentrate Composition: Weight percent Polawax (a stearyl alcohol-ethylene oxide The Polawax was dissolved with agitation in the acetone at temperature of 90-100 F., and the water was then added at temperature of 100 F. to form a liquid concentrate. The final composition was prepared by admixing 92 weight percent of this concentrate and 8 weight percent of dichlorodifiuoromethane (20% )dichlorotetrafluoroethane (80%) propellant. The composition was charged into an aerosol container provided with a foamdispensing head. The pressure exhibited by the composition in the container was about 25 p.s.i.g. at F. When dispensed, the composition produced a foam of limited stability.

This composition is an excellent base for topical antiseptics and other pharmaceutical products. A typical antiseptic which could be employed in the composition is thirnerosal. A typical bactericide-fungicide which could be employed in the composition is N-trichloromethylmercapto-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide.

EXAMPLE 2 Paint Remover Composition: Weight percent Polawax 1.5 Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 62.0 Water 36.5

The Polawax was dissolved with agitation in the diethylene glycol monobutyl ether at temperature of 110 F., and the water was then added at temperature of 100 F. to form a liquid concentrate. The final composition was prepared by admixing 90% of this concentrate and 10 weight percent of dichlorodifiuoromethane (20% dichlorotetrafiuoroethane propellant. The composition was charged into an aerosol container provided with a foam-dispensing head. The pressure exhibited by the composition in the container was about 25 p.s.i.g. at 70 F. When dispensed, the composition produced a foam of limited stability.

After standing for weeks, compositions produced in accordance with the above examples remain clear and homogeneous.

Although the present invention has been described in detail and exemplified, it will be apparent that many changes may be made therein within the principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by weight, (1) 46 to 66% of a member of the group consisting of acetone, acetonyl acetone, diacetone alcohol and water-miscible monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of an organic non-ionic surface active agent, and of a propellant of the group consisting of liquefied normally gaseous saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of 1) and (2) but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

2. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by Weight, (1) 46 to 66% of a monoalkyl ether of diethylene glycol in which the alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of an organic non-ionic surface active agent, and (4) 2 to 15% of a propellant of the group consisting of liquefied normally gaseous saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of the glycol ether and water but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

3. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by weight, (1) 46 to 66% of a monoalkyl ether of ethylene glycol in which the alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of an organic non-ionic surface active agent, and (4) 2 to 15 of a propellant of the group consisting of liquefied normally gaseous saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of the glycol ether and water but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

4. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by weight, (1) 46 to 66% of acetone, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of an organic non-ionic surface active agent, and (4) 2 to 15% of a propellant of the group consisting of liquefied normally gaseous saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of the acetone and water but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

5. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmos phere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by weight, (1) 46 to 66% of acetone, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of an organic non-ionic surface active agent, and (4) 3 to 15% of a chlorofluorinated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon propellant, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of the acetone and water but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

6. An aerosol container provided with a foam dispensing head and containing a homogeneous liquid composition for use in forming a foam, which foam does not become completely liquefied when exposed to the atmosphere for at least about 15 minutes but, when disturbed, reverts quickly to a liquid, consisting essentially of, by weight, (1) 46 to 66% of acetone, (2) 28 to 42% of water, (3) 0.5 to 5% of a surface active agent comprising a polyoxyethylated fatty alcohol, and (4) 3 to 15% of a chlorofluorinated saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon propellant, each of the surface active agent and propellant being soluble in one of the acetone and water but not in both, said composition being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Spitzer et al. Oct. 13, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES 

1. AN AEROSOL CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A FOAM DISPENING HEAD AND CONTAINING A HOMOQENOUS LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR USE IN FORMING A FOAM, WHICH FROM DOES NOT BECOME COMPLETELY LIQUEFIED WHEN EXPOSED TO THE ATMOSPHERE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BUT, WHEN DISTURBED, REVERTS QUICKLY TO A LIQUID, CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF, BY WEIGHT, (1) 46 TO 66% OF A MEMBER OF THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ACETONE, ACETONYL ACETONE, DIACETONE ALCOHOL AND WATER-MISCIBLE MONOALKYL ETHERS OF EHTYLENE GLYCOL AND DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, (2) 28 TO 42% OF WATER, (3) 0.5 TO 5% OF AN ORGANIC NON-IONIC SURFACE ACTIVE AGENT, AND (4) 2 TO 15% OF A PROPELLANT OF THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LIQUEFIED NORMALLY GASEOUS SATURATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS AND HALOGENATED SATURATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS, EACH OF THE SURFACE ACTIVE AGENT AND PROPELLANT BEING SOLUBLE IN ONE OF (1) AND (2) BUJT NOT IN BOTH, SAID COMPOSITION BEING CONFINED IN THE CONTAINER UNDER THE VAPOR PRESSURE OF THE PROPELLANT. 